It really starts in the summer when all the kids are marching through the parades. If you recall, Ivory was in the color guard, but she was too young to continue into the fall. Robyn picks up the season in late summer going to band camp in August and starting the rigorous process of learning a program and memorizing music. The season goes all the way to the end of October or beginning of November finishing with the Redrock competition in St. George. Quite the journey.
Robyn played the vibes again just like last year. In fact, her vibes from last year were still there. She spent a lot of time with 'Phillip' and she was happy to see him again.
Every year there is a different song and theme to the show. Last year was the James Bond/Spy theme. This year the show was called El Dia de los Muertos. The show was about the day of the dead and honoring ancestors. The Pit were the ancestors. They wore period clothing and had a whole photo shoot to take pictures to create some of the banners that were used on the field. Robyn got to dress up in different costumes. She took some photos of herself during the shoot.
When the season started, the kids were still working out the kinks but sounding really good. I was able to go to the first competition, but only the practice in the morning. The kids were wearing their shirts. I really like how the shirts turned out, but I think they could have done the colors differently so the design stood out better.
Robyn spends a LOT of time moving 'Phillip' here and there. Definitely not as easy as a clarinet to move around.
Check out one of the cute banners that was used on the field. The kids look so great.
One of the bigger performances is at BYU each year. I went to help out, so I was able to get some pictures. The band practiced out in the parking lot before the show. It was cool to watch them up close.
Then after helping them onto the field I was able to record the performance from not too far away. This video is focused on Robyn. Especially watch for the cool part in the video at 7:24 when Robyn and Sam play together on the vibes. It took them a long time to get it right, but it looks so cool.
Throughout the season, the show gets better and they add more details. The drum majors always had face paint but the pit added in face paint as well, so they could look the part of the dead ancestors. Robyn always had fun on the bus trips to the different shows.
The week of the final show, they had a family band night. The parents and family got to come to a special performance and come down on the field to be right up close. At the beginning of each show, the pit members hide behind the banners and come out at the beginning, greeting the band as they go to their instruments.
It was fun to be up close to the kids. My kid is always in front, but it was great for other parents to be up close to their kids and march with them on the field.
Here is another of the cute banners. Can you spot Robyn?
Okay, it took me a while. She was so disguised that I didn't even realize she was the one with the glare on her. This is a little better.
Finally, it was time for the tour. The first day the Marching Band went to several schools to play, so I went down to watch them in the band room when they came to my school. They can't really march in a small room, but they do a different show where they mark time and still do some of their movements.
Then they were off to St. George. It just so happened that I was down in St. George on the same weekend. Just my luck. So I went to see the big final show. It was nice and sunny even in November. St. George is the perfect venue.
The kids are almost ready to go. The Pit is about to head back behind the banners.
Since I was there, I recorded the show again, so Robyn could see it all. Obviously she doesn't see much with the band behind her. They did a great job and I was so proud of all of them.
They came in 6th overall. They did the best they've done, so Robyn was happy with how it all turned out. And she should be. So much hard work. These kids give up a lot of other things and plenty of time to be a part of Marching Band. It takes a lot of dedication and talent. And I'm pretty sure Robyn will do it all again next year.
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